Deriving the Chain Rule

When we have a function that is a composition of two or more functions, we could use all of the techniques we have already learned to differentiate it. However, using all of those techniques to break down a function into simpler parts that we are able to differentiate can get cumbersome. Instead, we use the chain rule, which states that the derivative of a composite function is the derivative of the outer function evaluated at the inner function times the derivative of the inner function.

To put this rule into context, let’s take a look at an example: [latex]h(x)= \sin (x^3)[/latex]. We can think of the derivative of this function with respect to [latex]x[/latex] as the rate of change of [latex]\sin (x^3)[/latex] relative to the change in [latex]x[/latex]. Consequently, we want to know how [latex]\sin (x^3)[/latex] changes as [latex]x[/latex] changes. We can think of this event as a chain reaction: As [latex]x[/latex] changes, [latex]x^3[/latex] changes, which leads to a change in [latex]\sin (x^3)[/latex]. This chain reaction gives us hints as to what is involved in computing the derivative of [latex]\sin (x^3)[/latex]. First of all, a change in [latex]x[/latex] forcing a change in [latex]x^3[/latex] suggests that somehow the derivative of [latex]x^3[/latex] is involved. In addition, the change in [latex]x^3[/latex] forcing a change in [latex]\sin (x^3)[/latex] suggests that the derivative of [latex]\sin (u)[/latex] with respect to [latex]u[/latex], where [latex]u=x^3[/latex], is also part of the final derivative.

We can take a more formal look at the derivative of [latex]h(x)= \sin (x^3)[/latex] by setting up the limit that would give us the derivative at a specific value [latex]a[/latex] in the domain of [latex]h(x)= \sin (x^3)[/latex].

This expression does not seem particularly helpful; however, we can modify it by multiplying and dividing by the expression [latex]x^3-a^3[/latex] to obtain

From the definition of the derivative, we can see that the second factor is the derivative of [latex]x^3[/latex] at [latex]x=a[/latex]. That is,

However, it might be a little more challenging to recognize that the first term is also a derivative. We can see this by letting [latex]u=x^3[/latex] and observing that as [latex]x\to a, \, u\to a^3[/latex]:

Thus, [latex]h^{\prime}(a)= \cos (a^3) \cdot 3a^2[/latex].

In other words, if [latex]h(x)= \sin (x^3)[/latex], then [latex]h^{\prime}(x)= \cos (x^3) \cdot 3x^2[/latex]. Thus, if we think of [latex]h(x)= \sin (x^3)[/latex] as the composition [latex](f\circ g)(x)=f(g(x))[/latex] where [latex]f(x)=\sin x[/latex] and [latex]g(x)=x^3[/latex], then the derivative of [latex]h(x)= \sin (x^3)[/latex] is the product of the derivative of [latex]g(x)=x^3[/latex] and the derivative of the function [latex]f(x)= \sin x[/latex] evaluated at the function [latex]g(x)=x^3[/latex]. At this point, we anticipate that for [latex]h(x)= \sin (g(x))[/latex], it is quite likely that [latex]h^{\prime}(x)= \cos (g(x))g^{\prime}(x)[/latex]. As we determined above, this is the case for [latex]h(x)= \sin (x^3)[/latex].

Now that we have derived a special case of the chain rule, we state the general case and then apply it in a general form to other composite functions. An informal proof is provided at the end of the section.

The Chain and Power Rules Combined

We can now apply the chain rule to composite functions, but note that we often need to use it with other rules. For example, to find derivatives of functions of the form [latex]h(x)=(g(x))^n[/latex], we need to use the chain rule combined with the power rule. To do so, we can think of [latex]h(x)=(g(x))^n[/latex] as [latex]f(g(x))[/latex] where [latex]f(x)=x^n[/latex]. Then [latex]f^{\prime}(x)=nx^{n-1}[/latex]. Thus, [latex]f^{\prime}(g(x))=n(g(x))^{n-1}[/latex]. This leads us to the derivative of a power function using the chain rule,

Combining the Chain Rule with Other Rules

Now that we can combine the chain rule and the power rule, we examine how to combine the chain rule with the other rules we have learned. In particular, we can use it with the formulas for the derivatives of trigonometric functions or with the product rule.

In the following example we apply the rule that we have just derived.

At this point we provide a list of derivative formulas that may be obtained by applying the chain rule in conjunction with the formulas for derivatives of trigonometric functions. Their derivations are similar to those used in (Figure) and (Figure). For convenience, formulas are also given in Leibniz’s notation, which some students find easier to remember. (We discuss the chain rule using Leibniz’s notation at the end of this section.) It is not absolutely necessary to memorize these as separate formulas as they are all applications of the chain rule to previously learned formulas.

Composites of Three or More Functions

We can now combine the chain rule with other rules for differentiating functions, but when we are differentiating the composition of three or more functions, we need to apply the chain rule more than once. If we look at this situation in general terms, we can generate a formula, but we do not need to remember it, as we can simply apply the chain rule multiple times.

In general terms, first we let

Applying the chain rule again, we obtain

Notice that the derivative of the composition of three functions has three parts. (Similarly, the derivative of the composition of four functions has four parts, and so on.) Also, remember, we always work from the outside in, taking one derivative at a time.

The Chain Rule Using Leibniz’s Notation

As with other derivatives that we have seen, we can express the chain rule using Leibniz’s notation. This notation for the chain rule is used heavily in physics applications.

For [latex]h(x)=f(g(x))[/latex], let [latex]u=g(x)[/latex] and [latex]y=h(x)=g(u)[/latex]. Thus,

Consequently,